Top 10 Best Anime Swordsmen
Swordsmen have been a core part of anime for decades, bringing intense battles, unforgettable rivalries, and incredible skill to the screen. Some rely on raw power, slicing through enemies with sheer strength, while others move with precise, almost effortless technique. There are those who fight for honor, those who wield their blades for revenge, and even some who just enjoy the thrill of battle. No matter their motivation, these characters have proven themselves to be among the best with a sword in hand.
Roronoa Zoro, nicknamed "Pirate Hunter" Zoro, is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. No anime character has ever had the desire as deep as Zoro's to become the greatest swordsman. No one has tried as hard as he has to improve his swordsmanship. As you go throughout the anime, you can clearly see the improvement of his skills. He now has a range that extends from far underground.
His sword skills have incredible sharpness, and he consistently cuts giant masses casually with no major energy loss. He cut an entire ship and then later cut the gigantic Pica made of stone like it was nothing. His attacks have incredible destructive power and are very hard to stop.
Post time-skip, he has not really been seen pushed to the limits, so it can be assumed his skills, which are already top-notch, are greater than what we've seen. Even more than that, they have the clear potential to grow even more.
Trunks is an anime fictional character from the anime series, Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. Killed an immortal in the future who also had the power to grow infinitely stronger, and who was able to beat Vegito Blue, the strongest fighter in the history of fiction.
He is epic and has awesome Super Saiyan powers. Trunks can move at supersonic speed and teleport. He can even hold his own without a sword.
Trunks beat Zolo (not Zoro, that's the Spanish swordsman) for me by a tiny bit, probably because Dragon Ball Z is my first favorite manga/anime, while One Piece is my second or third.
Himura Kenshin, known as Kenshin Himura in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character and protagonist of the Rurouni Kenshin manga created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Battousai the Manslayer, the name says it all. Considered to be the best swordsman that ever existed, a title he still holds even after deciding he would never kill again. His flawless swordsmanship and his ability to evaluate every battle he ends up in to create a plan in almost an instant is why he is the best anime swordsman.
He holds expert skill in every aspect of being a swordsman. He has the speed, the skill, the power, the evaluation skills, the mentality, and not to mention a vast array of techniques that ensure no matter who or what he finds himself up against, he has a trump card for them all. Truly the best anime swordsman, hands down.
Ichigo Kurosaki is a fictional character in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations created by Tite Kubo. Ichigo is damn powerful, that's true. But the question here is about the strongest swordsmen.
In that sense, Ichigo doesn't deserve such a high position. It's true that he's a good swordsman. But if we forget about his powers and spiritual pressure and hand him a normal sword, then I think even Renji or Ikkaku would be able to beat him. I don't know how many of you saw it, but there was a filler episode where this point was mentioned about Ichigo. As I can remember, it was shortly after Aizen's defeat.
Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk is a fictional character of the One Piece manga franchise created by Eiichiro Oda. Mihawk is a member of the Shichibukai and the first one to be revealed in the series. Though personally I like Zoro, I cannot deny the fact that "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk is the most skilled and powerful swordsman in the anime universe. He inflicts enormous damage on his enemies without himself or his sword getting a scratch. He is the only one to have not received any injury. During the great war between the navy and Whitebeard pirates (the strongest pirate crew), many of the big timers were wounded badly or dead. Mihawk was the only one without a scratch on him or his sword.
Not to mention he defeated the #2 ranked Zoro in this list with a pocket knife once. So, he should be at the top of this list!
Let's not forget that Hiei was an A-class demon when he was about 5 and sacrificed this power to get the third eye implanted in his head. His third eye lets him use telepathy and see things far away. Also, in his first round in the Dark Tournament, he sliced a guy's arm off, and no one saw him move at all. Basically, he has super speed, but he doesn't use magic for it or anything. He's just that fast. He has experience, as he fought in Demon World his whole life before coming to the Human World.
And he swallowed and became the Dragon of the Darkness Flames, which is a dragon made of the hottest fire from the deepest part of Demon World. So, there's that.
Erza Scarlet is an S-Class Mage from the infamous magic guild Fairy Tail. Erza starts off as a lone wolf and stays loyal to following the rules. As the story develops Erza changes into loving mage strong and independent. As her terrible past haunts her she ignores her Nakama's calls that they want help... read more Just because Zoro says he can cut through anything doesn't mean he can. That's like saying he would be able to cut through one of Godzilla's scales. It's not going to happen. Erza has accomplished many things because she is powerful. She destroyed 200 of those lacrima, and just destroying one endangers your life.
She also won a fight against Kyoka without her important senses, and her sensitivity to pain was heightened. So, she won a fight blind and deaf, with her pain sensitivity unreal while her foe's attack power was rising. Zoro cut a ship in half, etc. So what? Erza cut a small island in half in the Edolas arc. And she's much more powerful than before.
His skills in battle are truly unmatched. Even when struck down and all seems hopeless, he'll find a way to fight back against the tendrils of fate. If a demon stands ready to finish Guts off, he'll take his daughter hostage and use that to his advantage. He may not be a knight of valor and honor, but his dirty swordplay is what makes him akin to even the most powerful of celestial beings. He dares to strike back against fate and presumes to kill a god who was once his friend.
Add that to a magical suit of armor which transforms him into a relentless beast of the night, and you have possibly the most powerful man in any lore.
Kazuto Kirigaya is a fictional character who appears in the Sword Art Online series of light novels by Reki Kawahara. Yes, I agree that Kirito himself possesses much skill and power, but for a sensible reason. He is much like Kenshin, who has the will to live and the will to protect others. I can understand why some people hate SAO because of Kirito's overpowered nature.
To those people, his abilities and power are not to an impossible degree, and he may show some weaknesses and losses in the series. However, he will battle his opponents to the fullest extent if someone's life is on the line.
In Sword Art Online, Kirito is the strongest player. Put 2 and 2 together, and you get the strongest swordsman.
Yeah, Erza is strong, but I think Kirito is stronger. If the two were to fight, I think Erza would win because of her Requip. If it were down to pure sword skills, then Kirito would win.
Kenpachi Zaraki is a fictional character and an antihero in the anime and manga series Bleach created by Tite Kubo. Now that he has Bankai, find me a better swordsman. No one has cutting power like him. He can literally cut through time and space.
He sliced one of Yhwach's elite guards, Gerard, in half. It was only thanks to Gerard's power, "The Miracle," that he survived. Anyone else gets killed.
After knowing his Zanpakuto's name, he upgrades his power by 150 times. So, with even Shikai, he can easily kill Ichigo, the protagonist of Bleach. So maybe he is the strongest swordsman in Bleach.
I voted for Ichigo, but I would have agreed here. Even Zoro couldn't cut down Kenpachi.
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Shunsui Kyoraku is a fictional character in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations created by Tite Kubo.
Having her on your team during a zombie apocalypse would greatly increase your chances of survival.
Definitely one of the most badass swordsmen I've seen to date.
Sosuke Aizen is a fictional character in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations created by Tite Kubo.
I don't think any other characters can practically fight as well without a sword as Byakuya can. Nor can anyone else on this list keep up with his flash step (apart from other Bleach characters).
He is the older half-brother of the hanyō Inuyasha and the firstborn son of Tōga.Unlike many other yōkai, Sesshōmaru had no interest in possessing even a single shard of the Shikon Jewel to enhance his powers and considered yōkai who sought its abilities only to strengthen themselves as... read more
The guy grew back his arm along with a sword that can kill thousands of demons in one big chain reaction. That there is a devotion to swords if you ask me.
He's really strong and he never panics. He's a great swordsman, unbeatable. Except Dante will beat the crap out of him, but other than that, the best.
Dante is a fictional character and the primary protagonist of the Devil May Cry series, created and published by Capcom. Not only does his sword look wickedly magnificent, but with Dante holding and wielding it, he's practically invincible! He slays demons constantly, not only with his guns but also with the help of "Rebellion," the name of his sword.
His sword shows perspective and details on how it helps the character win battles!
He's got some very nice moves and slices through demons as if they were nothing. And the Rebellion blade is just too awesome.
Dante has a wickedly sharp sword that will cut anything you throw at it to pieces.
Toshiro Hitsugaya is a fictional character in the Bleach manga series and its adaptations created by Tite Kubo.
I am basing my comment on what would happen if there was an actual fight between my number one favorite, Zorro, and Inuyasha. If you've seen Inuyasha, his Wind Scar and Backlash Wave, after huge moves and analyzing his fights with Sesshomaru, can be easily avoided if you're not bound.
Really, in the latest series, his powers get taken away, and the way he fights with that sword without powers is really sad.
Inuyasha evolved with Tessaiga. He not only forged it with his own fang but also mastered attacks that could unleash diamond barrages or wind scars to Meidou blackholes till the end.
He not only wields it like a badass but can virtually defeat anyone with it!
Sasuke Uchiha is a fictional character from the manga and anime franchise Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He has the speed and lightning style, which make his sword skills extra beautiful to watch.
Saber is a fictional character from the Japanese visual novel and anime series Fate/stay night by Type-Moon and its prequel, Fate/Zero, by Type-Moon and nitroplus. She is the the Saber-class Servant of Kiritsugu Emiya during the Fourth Holy Grail War in Fate/Zero and the Saber-class Servant of Shirou... read more She is a great swordsman. She gives meaning to the word badass female swordsman. She's also hot and sexy. She doesn't take any crap!
Gintoki Sakata is a fictional character in the manga and anime franchise Gin Tama created by Hideaki Sorachi. He is a very strong samurai, capable of defeating or outright killing opponents with just a wooden sword. He has been shown to be highly charismatic, capable of drawing people just by his words alone.
He also has a very humorous side, which most anime swordsmen don't have, setting him entirely apart from everyone else. While acting stupid and idiotic most of the time, he has shown to have a loving and caring side, which he doesn't show very often.
How come Gintoki is ranked 13th while Trunks and Kirito are in the Top 10? Gintoki can do anything with a wooden sword! He destroyed a Benizakura, made a hole in a hand, and cut through time with just a wooden sword. This ranking is not based on facts. They're just voting for the fanbase.
Did I forget to mention he's one of the characters who survived the Joui War against a thousand Amantos? He's a monster, probably stronger than Erza. Gintoki has strong durability, keen senses, can outsmart opponents, and survive with a gunshot in his body and a slash in the back. Just a few days later, he's healthy and ready to kick ass. This guy can't be killed easily.
When he was a kid, he killed hundreds to thousands of people with just an ordinary sword. HE WAS JUST A KID AT THAT TIME! He's a God Tier Swordsman. He can give Zoro a hard time, probably even beat him. Idiot fans voting just for popularity. He should be at least in the Top 3 or 5. This guy can probably take on Kirito, Asuna, Erza, and Kenshin and still win.
Rin Okumura is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Blue Exorcist created by Kazue Kato. He's known for being the son of satan and trying to kill him. He is the main Protagonist in Blue Exorcist. His notable feature is the blue sword in which he draws when in trouble Rin may be very powerful, but he is very immature in a fight. He can be outwitted very easily and only uses brute force.
Rin is amazing! He's the son of Satan and very talented. He deserves to be right under Kirito as number two. He's very hot and super strong and fast.
Rin is just amazingly awesome. Probably one of the best anime characters I've seen.
Orochimaru is a fictional character from the Naruto universe created by Masashi Kishimoto and developed into a media franchise, which consists of a series of manga, anime, soundtracks, OVAs, movies, video games, and other collectibles.
Mugen does not have any powers or superhuman strength and is still amazingly strong. He's probably the most badass guy on this list. He should be number 6-8 on this list.
Can any other swordsmen accomplish these feats without super strength? Nope, only Mugen.
Can Zorro break dance while cutting foes to shreds? I think not.